http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download

Avast! Free Antivirus 6.0.1000
Avast Software - 59.65MB (Non-Commercial Freeware)

* Main changes/improvements:

- AutoSandbox – suspicious programs will be optionally run sandboxed
- avast! WebRep – browser plugin for website reputation rating; a combination of data from our virus lab and community voting
- Script Shield now even in the Free AV
- Site Blocking now even in the Free AV
- SafeZone – a special virtualized area for sensitive transactions (e.g. secure online banking) (paid products only)
- Restore factory settings command (Settings -> Troubleshooting)
- Automatic actions in the boot-time scan
- New compression method in the installer makes the setup packages about 20% smaller.
- Script Shield now functional even with IE8/IE9 Protected Mode
- Sidebar gadget
- Improved stability/compatibility of the Behavior Shield
- Improvements in the avast! sandbox

as a side (but somewhat related) note - I recently installed Zone Alarm (free version), and I discovered that it was giving me major problems with GOTD downloads - more specifically, it was interfering with the activation process - so I immediately uninstalled it.

As soon as I did - all was well again with GOTD's activations.

I am sharing with you this info. in case someone else also has this same problem.

I know its not free but I put trust in Kaspersky. You get 3 licences so you can split the cost with family or friends.

It looks like the latest version of ZoneAlarm was released 2-24-2011 and it may have a different set of automatic rules that no longer include "bitdefender". Consequently, you must manually give permission for the connection.

Thanks Robert. The strange thing is that I don't remember ever getting that warning before. I finally went ahead and allowed it because it kept interrupting me with the request.

Hi Terri,

Any program that has automatic updates enabled will try to establish a two way communication at a certain point in time ,when checking for/downloading updates
(and Zonealarm will tell you it's trying to act as server).

So in your case Zonealarm has to grant AVG permission to use ('listen to') a predefined communication port to check for updates at regular intervals..and retrieving them.

If you disallow AVG to act as a server you'll have to check for updates manually.
So yes, it's best to allow (and tick 'remember', if you have that option in ZA).

I currently have Bitdefender and all of a sudden I'm getting a Zone Alarm warning that it is trying to act as a server. Does anyone know what that means and if I should allow it? It seems to happen when I'm not actually on the internet so is it just trying to connect to the internet to update files?

Thanks for the help.

Anti Virus only get it from some ware good not with get or download and name of antivirus http://filehippo.com/ or download.com/ so on, not filshareing not good.

Thanks delenn13.
:)
I wish there was a way of voting/encouraging helpful comments.
I'll give it a try tomorrow.

Yes, Nag/Splash Screen, Pop ups. Whatever you want to called them.

Delenn, I assume this is to turn off the ad pop-ups??

If this is breaking the rules, remove it:

Disable the Avira AntiVir avnotify nag screen :.

Windows 2000/XP: (2000 & XP Pro do not require you to boot into safe mode)

1. Boot into Safe Mode (tap F8 repeatedly after you restart the computer)
2. Log in using the Administrator account
3. Go to C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avnotify.exe
4. Right-click avnotify.exe-> properties-> security-> advanced
5. Under the Permissions tab click on SYSTEM under Permission entries:
6. Edit-> locate Traverse Folder / Execute File-> deny-> ok ->apply-> yes -> ok-> ok
7. Reboot the computer into Normal Mode (start-> shutdown-> restart)

Windows XP Pro & Vista Business/Ultimate/Enterprise

1. Start-> Control Panel
2. Administrative tools-> Local security policy
3. Click on Software Restriction Policy-> Action (at the top)-> create new restriction policies
4. Right-click additional rules (on the right side)-> new path rule
5. Click Browse and navigate to C:\Program Files\(Avira)\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\ and double-click avnotify.exe
6. Set the security level to Disallowed-> apply-> ok

Windows Vista Home Premium

- Method 1

1. Go to C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avnotify.exe
2. Right-click avnotify.exe-> properties-> security tab->
3. Under the group or username SYSTEM click edit
4. Put a checkmark under the DENY column for "read and execute"

- Method 2 (in case Method 1 causes you to reboot after each update)

1. Go to C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avnotify.exe
2. Right-click avnotify.exe-> properties-> security tab-> advanced
3. Under the permissions tab highlight SYSTEM-> edit-> locate Traverse Folder / Execute File-> deny-> ok -> ok-> yes-> ok-> ok

*Note: Avira changed the path in version 9 to C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop

.: Disable the splash screen :.

1. Open regedit and navigate to [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
2. In the right pane double-click avgnt and add /nosplash at the end of the path (ex. /min /nosplash).

*Note: Avira changed /nosplash to /ns for version 9.

I seem to have fixed my problem. I uninstalled Avira, removed all references to it in the Zone Alarm program list (which I finally found), reinstalled Avira and kept clicking "Allow" on every ZA pop-up. Avira performed an update today and I got the damb ad again to upgrade so it seems it is back to normal.

I'd say those are false hits, Terri. I can't explain the WOT. That's surprising. With the Zone Alarm, though, one AV detector will often flag the software of another. For an AV to work efficiently, it usually needs to contain some of the same type of code that hackers used to write malware. So you may just have to ignore Zone Alarm if it keeps hitting on various AVs.

I just tried to download Avast and it came up red through WOT and "malicious" through Zone Alarm. On to my second choice.

ttp://www.virus.gr/portal/en/content/2009-08%2C-10-august-05-september

http://www.virus.gr/portal/en/content/free-antivirus-software

http://www.virus.gr/portal/en/content/free-online-virus-scan

http://www.virus.gr/portal/en/content/free-antivirus-tools-collection

http://www.virus.gr/portal/en/content/2009-04%2C-09-10-april-%28hips-antispyware%29

http://www.anti-malware-test.com/?q=taxonomy/term/17

Testing of proactive antivirus protection II Mon, 03/16/2009

dsekirka

I tried everything I could think of and I still cannot delete Microsoft Security Essentials from my computer.
Revo uninstaller. is some times not good for taking off A-V AntiSpyware. Try but back on if you can then take off don't try and take off Kaspersky with Revo uninstaller not good need to reg some dll's big job may be try forum of Security Essentials.

Below is a link to Windows Installer Cleanup Tool. I don't have a whole lot of faith that this will do it if Revo didn't, but it's worth a try. If Security Essentials appears in the list that the tool will give you once you open it after you install, then you should be able to clean up after it. If not, then it can't help you.

http://download.microsoft.com/download/e/9/d/e9d80355-7ab4-45b8-80e8-983a48d5e1bd/msicuu2.exe

Here's the knoweldge base article:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301

You could also use one of the utilities that finds "dead" registry keys, like this free one that I find pretty easy to use:

http://personal.inet.fi/business/toniarts/ecleane.htm

But, again, don't delete all the keys it finds. Go through the list and delete only those that CLEARLY reference Microsoft Security Essentials. You have to realize, though, that those might take you a very long time to spot, depending on how many dead keys you have. Of course, if you find references to other software that you know you've uninstalled, you can delete those too.

Hate to say this, though, but I didn't read this thread real carefully when I answered Terri's first post. We gotten pretty far off topic, here. We probably should have done all this in a new thread, and probably should have started one right from the beginning of this conversation, and left this as a list of freeware AVs. Although, I mainly wanted to add those two emergency disks to Freeware Fans original list. After all, you can start a new thread on any valid topic.

I tried everything I could think of and I still cannot delete Microsoft Security Essentials from my computer. If anyone have any more ideas please let me know.

Thank You

That was one of the problems I had with a-squared and one of the reasons I took it off.

I have a slow Pentium 2 (Compaq Armada 1750, about 333mhz) computer and when it updates the virus it slows the computer down and I cannot do much while its updating.

There's no problem, Terri. Have to download it? Definitely not. That's actually what dsekirka was talking about. When Windows dumped development on their Windows Defender malware detector, the next step was Windows Live One Care, which was a subscription service after a 90 day trial expired. They bagged that in June and the latest is called Microsoft Security Essentials. It debuted on Sep. 29. It's free and, supposedly, much better than Defender. Defender wasn't as awful as you've heard, but it compared to a strong AV like jello compares to a sledgehammer.

I read an article suggesting that MS wasn't trying to replace the big for pay boys, like Norton, but was trying to cut into the free AV market. To try and get those people, like you, that were tired of nag screens, like Avira gives us. After all, all software must come from Dollar Bill! Besides, like with Defender, it's good for Microsoft's image to offer some malware protection. Whether it turns out to be a quality solution or not, only time will tell.

Which reminds me, I was in a stupor when I wrote that long note to dsekirka and didn't ask the most important question: Hey deskirka, why'd you uninstall Microsoft Security Essentials, anyway? Was it a dog? I wasn't thinking, but no wonder it hooked Security Center. How dare you uninstall software from the Evil Empire! (Darth Vader's theme plays in the background.)

http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

Someone told me today that Microsoft has a new Security package which everyone with Windows is supposed to download. Does anyone know anything about this?

Not sure. I've run into this before. This may be the 3rd incidence I've heard of Security Center being fooled. There is, obviously, something left over on your system. Files, and more likely, registry entries. Of course, you could live with it, although then, technically. you wouldn't have monitoring of your real Anti-Virus. But really, you'd still know your AV was working through it's own notification. Security Center is mostly valuable as an indication of whether the Windows firewall is turned on, if you're even using it, and what your Windows Update download setting is. Other than that, it's simply a central place where you can access some of the Windows security features to change settings. Really, it's value as a security monitor is limited. An, as you can see, is quality as a security monitor is certainly limited.

I had BitDefender's online scan on my machine, and it didn't uninstall properly. So Security Center still thought I was using BitDefender after I'd switched to Avira. I don't remember whether just cleaning out the rogue files fixed it, or whether I had to delete it's registry entries, too. Fixing the registry isn't the horror story that you've heard, you just have to back it up first, and BE SURE of what you're deleting or DON'T delete it. I have never screwed up a registry, but that's because I religiously follow the above rule.

Security Essentials probably left folders in AppData folder (it's inside your User folder for whatever account your always logged in as), Program Data (right below Program Files in your C drive folders) or Common Files in your Program Files folder. Or all 3. You can look for those 3 folders manually. You can also run searches, like "Security Essentials" or Essentials. I don't know if MS abbreviates the folders. More likely, though, you'll have to search the registry for the rogue entries.

Click the start button, and then type regedit into the Search box, or, if your using the Classic Menu: Start>Run>(type)Regedit. Click, meaning highlight, Computer in Regedit, if it isn't already. Then click File>Export. That will give you a Save dialog box and you can save a backup copy of the registry. Or you can highlight any registry entries that you may delete later and just save a copy of whatever you deleted. Then if you want to replace them, or the whole registry, one way is to just right click on the saved file and select the merge option at the top of the menu.

In the edit menu, you'll see the separate find and find next commands, and their standard shortcuts - Control F and F3. You can search for Micorsoft Security Essentials keys and delete them. And, as I've said, if you don't want to save the whole registry, you can select the keys and export them before you delete them, so you can remerge them back in, just in case. But, deleting keys - or even whole folders of keys - that your SURE came from Microsoft Security Essentials is highly unlikely to give you problems.

Or you can just live with the false notification. In reality, it isn't likely to cause you any real problems. It'll just be annoying. Annoying, gee, sounds like a Microsoft product, doesn't it.

In any case, good luck! :)

I completely uninstalled Microsoft Security Essentials so I could try another Anti-Virus. But when I go to the security center in the control panel it says that Microsoft Security Essentials is up to date and virus scanning is on. How do I remove this program, I thought I removed it with Revo uninstaller. Any Ideas?

Well Terri, I believe you may be underestimating yourself. But, you're right, there's so much stuff to learn about computers all the time - I'm learning new stuff every day - that this is probably a side trip you don't need right now. But, of course, I was trying to add those two to Freeware's list for anyone who might be interested. I gather you got the jist of it - that Linux commands are different than what you might be used to if you've typed commands in a Dos command line for example. It's a somewhat different enviroment that takes a little getting used to. I haven't been courageous enough to take the plunge into Linux, so I'm hardly a shining example. :) Don't worry. It all comes in time, and you're doing the most important thing - asking the right questions.

The really funny thing is that I never got that ad before I installed Avira this time. As I said, I had installed it and uninstalled it several times before this when I was trying out other programs. And BTW if you do this, the year starts from the date of the current install.

Watcher I think you overestimate my computer knowledge. I wasn't putting you down and I appreciate all your help but I did not even recognize some of the words you used.

I hope I haven't confused you too bad, Terri. LOL. I assume you're just joking and giving me some well deserved ribbing. If not, then I apologize. What I meant to say is that I think someone not familiar with Linux should really check out some of the online help and play with those two disks first, and not wait until they have the emergency. On the other hand, for example, most of the rescue disks I've gotten from the various antiviruses I've used have been pretty self explanatory when you run them. Because of the net support, which not every AV rescue disk has, I still think those two are worth it. And, though I forgot to mention it, of course they're free.

Again, I'm assuming you've already got that, Terri, and am just tweaking my pomposity a little. Better not burst that baloon, though, it might result in a hurricane. = - )

Yeah, you probably also realize that that nag actually is sent down every time Avira sends down an update. Like dragon says, that piggyback nag is the price you pay. Haven't had the problem with it interfering with my system, but it's like any popup, it's throws itself in front of whatever you're doing.

Hope you can find one you like. I'm sure you will.

Terri,

That pop-up reminder has been around all along for Avira. I've seen it every day since I first installed it. It gets a lot of complaints but the answer is the same - that is the "price" for using the free version. To me it's not a big deal. I do notice the system slow down when it does it's update and I have been thrown out of a game or two but usually it doesn't cause a problem. In many cases, the window never comes to the top. It is there waiting for me to close down or minimize what I'm doing.

Diane

Oh Watcher I'm confused by your post, I don't think I could handle the program.

One other thing that is driving me crazy about Avira is that this time (I've installed it and uninstalled it several times in the past and this never happened before) EVERY SINGLE DAY it interupts what I'm doing to give me a reminder to buy the full program. A couple of times it threw me out of what I was doing at the time.

Thanks for all the recommendations.